EMD GP40X explained

EMD GP40X
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Buildmodel:GP40X
Builddate:1977  - 1978
Aarwheels:B-B
Cylindercount:16
Primemover:EMD 16-645F3B
Enginetype:V16 diesel
Maxspeed:830NaN0
Poweroutput:3500hp
Totalproduction:23
Locale:North America

An EMD GP40X is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between December 1977 and June 1978.[1] Power for this unit was provided by a turbocharged 16-cylinder 16-645F3B engine which could produce 3500-1NaN-1. 23 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads. This unit was a pre-production version meant to test technologies later incorporated into EMD's 50-series locomotives GP50 and SD50.

Design

Ten GP40X were delivered with an experimental HT-B truck design that became an option (but never used) on the production GP50, including 6 for Union Pacific and 4 for Southern Pacific. These trucks were meant to improve locomotive adhesion. The remainder rode on Blomberg trucks.

SP's units included several experimental modifications, including L-shaped windshields and coverings over the radiator sections, nicknamed "elephant ears."

1965 experimental locomotive

The designation GP40X was also given to an experimental locomotive built on an EMD GP35 frame in May 1965. Only one example of this locomotive was ever produced, the EMD 433A, a 3000-1NaN-1 test prototype that was the first 4-axle locomotive to be powered by the new 645-series prime mover. The 433A served as the precursor to the EMD GP40. The 433A was purchased by the Illinois Central Railroad, and became the IC 3075. The 1965 EMD 433A has very little in common with the 1977 GP40X other than flared radiators and a 645-series prime mover.

Original owners

EMD GP40X Locomotives
RailroadQuantityRoad numbersTruck TypeNotes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe103800-3809Blomberg M3800 Locotrol Master
3801 Locotrol Receiver
Southern Pacific Railroad27200-7201HT-BLocotrol Masters; Delivered with "Elephant ear" intake screens
Southern Pacific Railroad27230-7231HT-BLocotrol Receivers; Delivered with "Elephant ear" intake screens
Southern Railway3SOU 7000-7002Blomberg MHi-nose
Union Pacific Railroad69000-9005HT-B
Totals 23

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: McDonnell, Greg. Field guide to modern diesel locomotives. 2002. Kalmbach Publishing. 0-89024-607-6. Waukesha, Wisc.. 122–125. 50411517.